Method and apparatus for facilitating the packaging and pricing of photographic prints

ABSTRACT

A FINISHING OPERATIONS WORKCENTER INCLUDES APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND SORTING PRINTS, CUTTING AND STACKING NEGATIVE FILMSTRIPS, CORRELATING &#34;MARKED&#34; PRINTS WILL THE NEGATIVE FILMSTRIP CONTAINING THE CORRESPONDING PRINT, COUNTING THE PRINTS AND DISPLAYING THE PRICE TO BE CHARGED FOR THE PRINTS. THE PRINT CUTTER AND SORTER APPARATUS ADVANCES A STRIP OF PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS FROM A PRINT ROLL THROUGH A PRINT CUTTING BLADE THAT SERVES EACH PRINT. PRIOR TO THE SEVERANCE OF EACH PRINT, THE STRIP OF PRINTS ARE SCANNED FOR UNACCEPTABLE PRINTS DENOTED BY A MARK PLACED THEREON BY A PRINT INSPECTOR. UNACCEPTABLE PRINTS ARE AUTOMATICALLY SEPARATED FROM ACCEPTABLE PRINTS IN RESPONSE TO THE DETECTOR MARKS. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE NEGATIVE FILMSTRIP OF EACH CUSTOMER ORDER OF PRINTS IS CUT INTO A NUMBER OF PREDETERMINED LENGTHS AND STACKED IN A PREDETERMINED MANNER BY THE AUTOMATIC FILMSTRIP CUTTING AND STACKING APPARATUS. A MARKED PRINT IS CORRELATED WITH THE NEGATIVE FILMSTRIP IN THE STACK THAT CONTAINS THE CORRESPONDING NEGATIVE. FURTHERMORE, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PRINTS MADE FROM EACH CUSTOMER&#39;&#39;S ORDER IS COUNTED OAND DISPLAYED ON THE PRICE DISPLAY APPARATUS WHICH ALSO INDICATES THE PRICE TO BE CHARGED FOR PRINTING THE CUSTOMER ORDER. WHEN THE LAST OF EACH CUSTOMER&#39;&#39;S ORDER OF PRINTS AND NEGATIVE FILMSTRIPS ARE CUT, THE RESPECTIVE CUTTING APPARATUS CEASE OPERATION. THE OPERATOR OF THE FINISHING OPERATIONS WORKCENTER GATHERS THE ACCEPTABLE PRINTS, INSERTS THEM INTO AN ENVELOPE OBTAINED FROM AN ENVELOPE DISPENSER, REMOVES THE STACKED NEGATIVE FILMSTRIPS FROM THE PRINT CUTTING APPARATUS, INSERTS THE NEGATIVE FILMSTRIPS INTO THE ENVELOPE, NOTES THE PRICE DISPLAYED BY THE AUTOMATIC PRINT COUNTING AND PRICE DISPLAY APPARATUS AND MARKS THE ENVELOPE WITH THE INDICATED PRICE. WHEN MARKED PRINTS HAVE BEEN DETECTED, THE OPERATOR SEPARATES THE MARKED PRINTS AND CORRESPONDING NEGATIVE FILMSTRIPS, INSERTS THE GOOD PRINTS AND NEGATIVE FILMSTRIPS INTO THE ENVELOPE AND ATTACHES THE MARKED PRINTS AND CORRESPONDING NEGATIVE FILMSTRIPS TO THE EVELOPE. THESE ORDERS ARE SET ASIDE FOR REPRINTING. UPON THE REMOVAL OF THE STACK OF NEGATIVE FILMSTRIPS FROM THE AUTOMATIC FILM CUTTING AND STACKING APPARATUS, THE PRINT COUNTER AND THE CORRELATOR DISPLAY ARE RESET AND THE PRINT AND FILM CUTTING APPARATUS ARE ENERGIZED TO CUT THE NEXT CUSTOMER ORDER OF PRINTS AND NEGATIVE FILMSTRIPS.

Feb. 27, 1973 T. w. BRACKEN ET AL 3,718,807

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE PACKAGING AND PRICING OFPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS Filed April 16, 1971 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 ORDER 64PRINT-l moms cI LAUGH THOMAS W BRACKE);l

GERALD C. SMITH ATTORNEYS T. w. BRACKEN ET AL Feb. 27, 1973 3,718,807

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE PACKAGING ND PRICING 0FPHOTOGRAPHIC FRINTS Filed April 16, 1971 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 CUT PRINT NO.I?

DETECTED PRINT NO.

THOMAS W. BRACKEN THOMAS C. LAUGHON GERALD C. SMITH FIG.4

ATTORNEYS T w. BRACKEN ETAL 'lHUl) AND MI'AHA'IUS FOR FACILITATING THEPACKAGING Feb. 27, 1973 MI-l ND PRICING 0F I'HOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS aShgefis-Sheet Fi led Ap ril 16, 1971 .wLm

ATTORNEYS Feb. 27. .3 T. w. BRACKEN ETAL 1 METHOD AND APPARATUS FORFACILITATING THE PACKAGING AND PRICING OF PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS FiledApril 16, 1971 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 OUT our

OUT

our

THOMAS W. BRACKEN THOMAS C. LAUGHO GERALD C. SMITH N INVENTORS FIG.6

ATTORNEYS I Feb. 27. 1973 T. w. BRACKEN ETAL 3,718,807

MIJ'I'HUU AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE PACKAGING ND PRICING 0FFHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 16, 1971 THOMAS W. BRATHOMA GER s c LAu fi O Ia ALD cIsmTH g BY anoamzys United States Patent3,718,807 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE PACKAGING ANDPRICING 0F PHOTO- GRAPHIC PRINTS Thomas W. Bracken and Thomas C.Laughon, Rochester, and Gerald C. Smith, Honeoye, N.Y., assignors toEastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y. Filed Apr. 16, 1971, Ser. No.134,786 Int. Cl. G07c 3/10 US. Cl. 235-92 PD 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A finishing operations workcenter includes apparatus forcutting and sorting prints, cutting and stacking negative filmstrips,correlating marked prints with the negative filmstrip containing thecorresponding print, counting the prints and displaying the price to becharged for the prints. The print cutter and sorter apparatus advances astrip of photographic prints from a print roll through a print cuttingblade that severs each print. Prior to the severance of each print, thestrip of prints are scanned for unacceptable prints denoted by a markplaced thereon by a print inspector. Unacceptable prints areautomatically separated from acceptable prints in response to thedetector marks. Simultaneously, the negative filmstrip of each customerorder of prints is cut into a number of predetermined lengths andstacked in a predetermined manner by the automatic filmstrip cutting andstacking apparatus. A marked print is correlated with the negativefilmstrip in the stack that contains the corresponding negative.Furthermore, the total number of prints made from each customers orderis counted and displayed on the price display apparatus which alsoindicates the price to be charged for printing the customer order. Whenthe last of each customers order of prints and negative filmstrips arecut, the respective cutting apparatus cease operation. The operator ofthe finishing operations Workcenter gathers the acceptable prints,inserts them into an envelope obtained from an envelope dispenser,removes the stacked negative filmstrips from the print cuttingapparatus, inserts the negative filmstrips into the envelope,

notes the price displayed by the automatic print counting and pricedisplay apparatus and marks the envelope with the indicated price. Whenmarked prints have been detected, the operator separates the markedprints and corresponding negative filmstrips, inserts the good printsand negative filmstrips into the envelope and attaches the marked printsand corresponding negative filmstrips to the envelope. These orders areset aside for reprinting. Upon the removal of the stack of negativefilmstrips from the automatic film cutting and stacking apparatus, theprint counter and the correlator display are reset and the print andfilm cutting apparatus are energized to cut the next customer order ofprints and negative filmstrips.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Reference is made to commonlyassigned, copending US. patent application Ser. No. 134,789, entitledControl Circuit for Automating the Operation of a Film Cutter or LikeApparatus, filed concurrently herewith in the names of Gerald C. Smithet al. and to commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 134,791, entitled 3,718,807 Patented Feb. 27, 1973 Apparatus forCorrelating Rejected Photographic Prints With Corresponding PhotographicNegatives, filed concurrently herewith in the name of Gerald C. Smith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This inventionrelates to photographic apparatus, and more particularly to a finishingoperations workcenter for facilitating the packaging and pricing ofcustomer print orders.

Description of the prior art In has become a customary practice of thephoto-finishing industry to provide apparatus for splicing individualcustomer order negative filmstrips together and continuously processingthe negative filmstrips. The spliced filmstrips are thereafter spooledand placed in a photographic printer for automatic or semi-automaticprinting of each negative frame on a continuous roll of photographicprint material. The sensitized photographic print material is thereafterdeveloped and dried in a continuous process. Each print in the roll isthereafter inspected to determine if it is a commercially acceptableprint. Over-exposed, underexposed or subject failure prints are markedby the inspector as being unacceptable and requiring, when possible,reprinting.

It has been found desirable in the prior art to mark each of theunacceptable prints with an apparatus or substance that alters the lightremitting characteristics of the print surface. A stamp or a hole punchmay be employed to locally alter the light remitting characteristics ofthe surface of the unacceptable print.

After a print roll is inspected, it is fed through a print cutter,which, as its name suggests, properly severs the individual prints fromthe print roll. It is also necessary to cut the negative filmstrip,which may contain 12 or 20 negative frames in each customer order, intolengths that are convenient for packaging with the prints. The cut printand negative filmstrips of each customers order must thereafter becollected together, packaged and priced. The price, of course, dependsupon the number of commercially acceptable prints produced from eachcustomers order.

The operations of cutting the negative filmstrips into appropriatelengths, cutting the prints, counting the prints, calculating the pricetherefrom, marking the envelope with the price and stufiing it with theproper prints and negatives are very time consuming and subject to humanerror. It is also necessary that the operator set aside the customersorders that contain commercially unacceptable prints for reprinting.Before reprinting these unacceptable prints, someone has to locate thecorresponding negative frame from among the several negative filmstripsin the customer order.

In a large scale photofinishing plant, a number of photographic printersand processors are continuously operating and continuously producingnegative filmstrip rolls and print rolls that must be cut and packagedin the manner described above. Naturally, it is highly desirable thatthe number of manual and mental steps associated with the cutting andpackaging of the customers order be reduced in order to increase thespeed of the entire photofinishing operation.

3 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly it is an object of the presentinvention to reduce the number of operations necessary to package andprice customer print orders.

It is also an object of the present invention to cut, price and packagecustomer order filmstrips and prints at a single workcenter.

Another object of the present invention is to count the number of printsmade in each customers order and to display the price corresponding tothe number of prints counted.

It is also an object of the present invention to simply change the pricedisplay to correspond to different print pricing rates.

In accoradnce with these and other objects of the invention, a methodand apparatus are disclosed for severing prints from a roll of printsadvanced through a print cutter and producing a first signal uponseverance of each print, counting the first signals, detecting a firstmark on a predetermined print and producing a second signal in responsethereto, halting the print cutter in response to the second signal,restarting the print cutter, and displaying the number of cut prints andthe price to be charged therefor in response to the first signal and therestarting of the print cutter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the detailed description of thepreferred embodiment of the invention presented below, reference is madeto the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the finishing operations workcenterapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram, in partial perspective, showing a portion of thepath of travel of the strip of photographic prints through the printcutter of the finishing operations workcenter;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a logic diagram of the operativeelements of the finishing operations workcenter;

FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram illustrative of the signals developed atparticular points in the logic diagram of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of print and memory counters referredto in the logic diagram of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an electrical circuit forautomatically correlating unacceptable prints with the negativefilmstrip containing the corresponding negative referred to in the logicdiagram of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the detail of the price displayunit on the workcenter of FIG. 1 and a price card for use therewith.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,and first to FIG. 1, there is shown in partial perspective a view of thefinishing operations workcenter of the present invention. The finishingoperations workcenter consists of a console 10 whereat an operator sitsand faces an automatic print cutter and sorter 12, an automaticfilmstrip cutter and stacker 14, a marked print and negative filmstripcorrelator 16, an automatic print counter and price display unit 18 andan envelope dispenser 20. Briefly stated, the automatic print cutter andsorter 12 advances a strip 22 of prints from a print roll 24 through aprint cutting blade 26 that severs each print. As the severed prints 28fall from the print cutter 26, they are stacked on slanted plane 36. Amarked print is automatically detected by apparatus to be describedhereinafter, and a reject print solenoid flipper 34 is actuated todivert the severed, marked print down the slanted surface 30 and uponthe tracks 32. Three marked prints 28 are illustrated alon'g tracks 32.Therefore, after each customers order of prints '4 v has been cut, theunacceptable prints have been separated from the acceptable prints.

Arranged adjacent to the automatic print cutter and sorter 12 is theautomatic negative cutter and stacker 14 that is described in detail inthe aforementioned commonly assigned copending U.S. application Ser. No.134,- 789. For the purpose of the present invention, it is sufficient tostate that the automatic negative cutter and stacker 14 advances thespliced negative filmstrips 38 from a roll 40 and through a negativeframe counter (not shown) that actuates a film cutter and stacker (notshown) when the counter achieves a certain count, such as four negativeframes. At the end of each customers order, a splice detector halts theoperation of the automatic film cutter and stacker 14. The cut negativefilmstrips 41 of each customers order are each retained at one end bythe negative stacker (not shown).

Located in clear view of the operator is an automatic marked print andnegative filmstrip correlator 16 which includes an individuallyilluminable counter display 42 marked 1 through 5 that correspond to thefive possible negative filmstrips in a customer order of 20 negativeframes (wherein each negative filmstrip contains four negative frames).Further counters may be provided to display the total number of markedprints in the customers order. Counters may also be provided to indicatethe total number of marked prints in the customers order. Counters mayalso be provided to indicate the total number of prints cut and thetotal number of marked prints detected during a predetermined period ofoperation of the finishing operations workcenter. Located alongsidecounter display 42 is an illuminated panel 44 against which the operatormay place the cut negative filmstrips to inspect the negative framesindiclated as unacceptable by the correlator 16.

The total number, up to and including 20, of prints cut from anindividual customers order is displayed on the automatic pricing unit18. As described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, the automaticpricing unit 18 of the preferred embodiment of this invention mayconsist of a 20 stage serial counter and corresponding 20 stage memorycircuit, each stage of the latter containing an illuminable numeralcorresponding to the count achieved on the counter and stored in thememory. The illuminable numerals are arranged in a 4 x 5 matrix on thedisplay panel 46 of the automatic pricing unit 18. A transparent pricecard 48, corresponding in size and shape to the display panel 46,carries the price corresponding to the illuminable numerals of thedisplay panel 46. Also, although each customers negative filmstrip maycontain either 12 or 20 negative frames, the automatic circuits providedby, or the operator of, the photographic printer may have determinedthat certain of the negative frames were unprintable and, therefore, anumber less 12 or 20 prints may be on the print roll 22. Therefore, theautomatic price display may exhibit a price for a number less than 12 or20 prints.

The finishing operations workcenter console 10 also contains an envelopedispensing unit 20 that conveniently dispenses envelopes to theoperator. Further envelopes may be contained in the tray 50 whichcontains compartments for the varied requirements of a particularphotofinisher.

After loading the negative and print rolls on the finishing operationsworkcenter the operator sits before the console 10 and depresses a STARTbutton (not shown). The automatic print cutter and sorter 12 cuts andsorts the prints until the order sort mark on the last print in thecustomers order is sensed, whereupon the print cutter ceases operation.Simultaneously and independently, the automatic film cutter and stacker14 cuts and stacks the negative filmstrips 41 until the splice, betweensuccessive customer orders, is sensed, whereupon it ceases operation.During the cutting of the respective prints and negative filmstrips, theautomatic marked print and negative filmstrip correlator 16 illuminatesthe number, in the order in which the filmstrips are cut and stacked, ofthe stacked filmstrips 41 that contain a negative frame that requiresreprinting.

After the prints and negative filmstrips have been cut the operatorgathers the prints 28 and stuffs them into the envelope 62. Thereafter,the operator pulls the stacked negative filmstrips 41 out of thenegative stacker 14 and stuffs them into the envelope. The finishingoperations workcenter automatically restarts upon the removal of thestacked negative filmstrips 41, and the print counters are reset. Thememory stages of the automatic pricing unit 18 are reset upon theremoval of the stacked negative filmstrips 41 and, after a short timedelay, the print count in the serial counter (of the prints stuffed inthe envelope 52) is shifted into the corresponding memory stages whichilluminate their respective numerals of the display panel 46. Thereafterthe operator of the machine records the price on the envelope 52 orelsewhere and stacks the completed order into photofinisher boxes (notshown) pro vided for that purpose, as the next customer order isprocessed by the finishing operations workcenter.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown in partial perspective, a sectionof the strip of prints 22 that are being advanced in the direction ofthe arrow 54 to the print cutter (not shown )that severs the individualprints along the dotted line 56. The prints are indicated by ordernumbers l, 2 and 3 and corresponding print numbers. It will be notedthat order number 2 contains only one print which would indicate thatall of the negative frames of customer order number 2 were considered tobe unprintable at the photographic printer. A single print was made inorder to keep customer order numbers in sequence with the customer ordernegatives.

Referring now to print number 20 of order number 1 of FIG. 2, there areshown three photosensitive devices 58, 60 and 62. Each of thephotosensitive devices contain a light source 64, for example, thatdirects light, either visible or invisible, upon a predetermined area inthe path of travel of the strip of photographic prints 22. The light isreflected by the glossy surface of the photographic print material andupon a photocell 66 that is rendered conductive in direct proportion tothe amount of light reflected by the surface of the print. Each of thephotosensitive devices 58, 60 and 62 will develop a signal at itsrespective output terminal 68, 70 and 72 that has an amplitude dependentupon the amount of light striking its respective photocell .66. Theamplitude of the output signal will vary when the light form source 64strikes a dull or light absorbing mark on the surface of thephotographic print.

Marked prints, such as cut print 19 of order number 1 and print 1 oforder number 2, contain dull, light absorbing marks 74 and 76 placedupon these prints by the print inspector. In accordance with thepractice of the present invention, it has been found desirable to markeach of the unacceptable prints with a grease marking pencil or crayonthat alters the light remitting characteristics of the print surfacefrom a glossy, high light remitting surface to a dull, low lightremitting surface. As the strip of photographic prints 22 is advanced inthe direction of the arrow 54, these marks intercept the light from thelamp 64 of the photosensitive device 60, and a significant difference isnoted in the amplitude of the output signal at terminal 70 of thephotosensitive device 60. Thus a marked print signal may be generated inthis manner.

On the first edge portion 78 of the strip of photographic prints 22 areprint cut marks 80 which also reduce the amount of light reflected tothe photocell 66 of the photosensitive device 58. The photosensitivedevice 58 produces a variation in its output signal at terminal 68 inresponse to each print out mark.

A photosensitive device 62 is responsive to order sort marks 82 placedupon the other edge portion 84 of the strip of photographic prints 22 toproduce a signal whenever an order sort mark is detected. The print cutmark and the order sort mark 82 are recorded on the respective edges ofthe photographic print material at the time the corresponding print ismade. It will be noted that the single print of order number 2 alsocontains an order sort mark 82.

The location with respect to each other of the photosensitive devices56, 60 and 62 should be noted. As developed in greater detailhereinafter, the output signal developed by the photosensitive device 58is employed to halt the movement of the strip of photographic prints 22in the direction of arrow 54 and to energize the print cutter to severthe prints along the dotted line 56. After the print is cut, the stripof photographic prints 22 again starts to advance until the next printmark 80 is detected- As the strip 22 advances, the order sort mark 82 onthe last print (or first print, depending upon the operation of thephotographic printer) of the particular customer order is detected bythe photosensitive device 62 which generates an order sort signal atterminal 72. Upon the cessation of movement of the strip 22, the lastprint of the order is severed by the print cutter. The order sort signalinhibits the continued advancement of the strip 22 until the printcutter and sorter 12 is restarted in a manner to be describedhereinafter.

Furthermore, during the advancement of the strip 22, the thirdphotosensitive device 60 responds to the marks such as 74 or 76' onunacceptable prints to generate a marked print signal at the outputterminal 70. The marked print signal is applied to further apparatus tobe described in detail hereinafter that responds to the marked printsignal and to the action of the print cutter to separate the severed,marked print from the acceptable prints in the customers order.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 there are shown a block diagram ofparticular components of the finishing operations workcenter of FIG. 1and a waveform diagram depicting signals developed at particular pointsin the block diagram of FIG. 3. The print out mark detector 86 of FIG. 3includes the first photosensitive device 58 of FIG. 2 and furtheramplifying circuits for producing, upon the detection of each print mark80, detected print cut mark signal A depicted in FIG. 4A. The print outmark signal A is simultaneously applied to the input terminals of theprint cutter 88, which may be a knife blade that severs the print strip22 at the dotted line 56 between the prints after a short time delayrelaed to the time necessary to halt the advancement of the strip 22.The print cut mark signal A is also applied to the stop input terminalof the print advance unit 90 which immediately halts the advancement ofthe strip 22. As the knife blade of the print cutter 88 returns to itsoriginal position, the cut print signal B of FIG. 4B is applied to thefirst input terminal of AND gate 92. In the absence of an order sortsignal C, depicted in FIG. 3C, a positive voltage gating signal G,depicted in FIG. 4G, is applied to the second input terminal of the ANDgate 92. Therefore, the AND gate 92 passes the cut print signal B to thefirst input terminal of OR gate 94. OR gate 94 passes the cut printsignal B to the start input terminal of the print advance 90. Thus theprint detector 86 continually advances the strip 22 until a print cutmark is detected, halts the advancement, cuts the print and advances thestrip 22 until the next print out mark is detected.

Referring back to FIG. 2, it will be noted that as the print out mark 80of print 20 is detected by the first photosensitive device 58, the print19 is severed. For this reason the pulses of the print out mark signal Aare numbered in accordance with both the detected cut mark number andthe cut print number.

Referring back to FIG. 3, an order sort mark detector 96 (which includesthe third photosensitive device 62 of FIG. 2 and further amplifyingcircuits which are known in the prior art) generates an order sortsignal C depicted at FIG. 4C as the last print of a customer order isadvanced pas-t the dotted line 56 of FIG. 2. As shown, with respect toFIGS. 4A and 4B, the order sort signal C is generated as the printnumber of order number 1 of FIG. 2 advances past the out line 56. Theorder sort signal C generated by the order sort mark detector 96 isapplied to the set input terminal of bistable flip-flop 98 that respondsthereto to switch, at output terminal Q, a positive voltage signal tothe first input terminal of AND gate 100. The print cut mark signal A isapplied to the second input terminal of the AND gate 100. At the momentwhen the print number 1 of order number 2 is detected by the printdetector 86, the print cut mark signal A (shown in FIG. 4D) is passed bythe AND gate 100 to the set input terminal of the bistable flip-flop 102The bistable flip-flop 102 has previously been reset at the beginning ofcustomer order number 1, and the olstable flip-flop 102 has previouslyprovided the positive voltage gating signal G to the second inputterminal of the AND gate 92 which responded thereto in the mannerdescribed hereinbefore. Upon the application of the cut print marksignal A of FIG. 4D to the set input terminal of flip-flop 102, theflip-flop 102 switches the output signal level of the output terminal Qto ground potential as shown in 'FIG. 4F. When this occurs, the AND gate92 is incapable of passing the cut print signal B to the start inputterminal of the print advance 90. Thus, when an order sort detectorproduces the order sort signal C, the last print (in this case, print 20of order number 1) is advanced and severed, and the operation of theprint cutter and sorter 12 is halted. The first print number of the nextcustomer order has been detected by the print detector 86.

After a time delay, depicted in FIG. 4 by the vertical slash markslocated in each waveform diagram, necessary for the operator to gatherand package the cut prints of the customer order, the operator removesthe stack of negative filmstrips 41 of FIG. 1 from the negative cutterand stacker 14 which may include a switch that responds to the removalof the negative filmstrip stcak 41 to activate a shift signal generator104. The shift signal generator 104 provides a shift signal E, depictedat FIG. 4E, that is applied to the reset/restart circuit 105 whichproduces, in response thereto, a reset/restart signal F after a timedelay necessary to insure the operation of certain other circuits (to bedescribed hereinafter) by the shift signal E. The reset/restart circuit105 also responds to the start or reset switch of the finishingoperations workcenter to produce the reset/restart signal P. Thereset/restart signal F is applied to the reset input terminal offlip-flop 98 which switches, in response thereto, the positive voltagesignal at the output terminal Q to ground potential, thus disabling theAND gate 100. Simultaneously, the reset/restart signal F is applied tothe Clear, C, input terminal of the flip-flop 102 which switches the Qoutput terminal to the positive voltage state, thus enabling the ANDgate 92. And, the reset/restart signal F is applied to the second inputterminal of the OR gate 94 which passes the reset/restart signal F tothe start input terminal of the print advance 90'. The print advance 90responds to the reset/restart signal F to advance the strip 22 in themanner hereinbefore described.

Referring back to FIG. 2, it will be noted that a reject mark 74 hasbeen applied to the surface of cut print 19 of order number 1. A furtherreject mark 76 has been applied to the single print of order number 2.The second reject mark 76 indicates that all of the negative filmstripsof order number 2 have been found to be unprintable. In FIG. 3, thereject mark detector 106, which includes the second photosensitivedevice 60 of FIG. 2 and further amplifying circuit, generates an outputsignal as a reject mark. such as 74 and 76, passes beneath thephotosensitive device 60. This signal is applied to the positive inputterminal of the comparator 108. A reference voltage +V, which may beadjusted in amplitude by the variable resistor 110, is applied to thenegative input terminal of the comparator 108. When the voltage signaldeveloped by the reject mark detector 106 exceeds the reference voltagelevel, the comparator 108 generates a reject mark signal H, depicted inFIG. 4H, at its output terminal. Referring to FIG. 4H itwill be notedthat a reject mark signal H has been generated as the detected printnumber 19 of order number 1 advanced past the dotted line 56.

The reject mark signal H is applied to the set input terminal of thebistable flip-flop 112 which switches its Q output terminal to apositive voltage level in response thereto. The positive voltage levelof the Q output terminal of the flip-flop 12 is depicted in FIG. 4] andis applied to one input terminal of AND gate 114. The print cut marksignal A generated by the print out mark detector 86 is applied to thesecond input terminal of the AND gate 114. Therefore, when theadvancement of the strip 22 is halted by the detection of the printnumber 20 of order number 1, the AND gate 114 passes the print cut marksignal A to the reject sorter 116.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the reject sorter 116 may include a printseparator 35 consisting of a pair of converging sloped members 30 and 36and a solenoid actuated flipper 34. Normally the flipper 34 is locatedwith respect to the sloped member 30 so that the cut prints 28 arestacked on the sloped member 36. However, when a marked print, such asprint 19 of order number 1, is cut, the reject sorter 116 energizes thesolenoid actuated flipper 34 which changes its position and diverts themarked print, as it is cut, down the sloped member 30 and onto the track32. Thus, the marked prints are separated from the acceptable prints asthey are cut by the print cutter 26. After the marked print has beensorted, the solenoid actuated flipper 34 returns to its originalposition. The operator may spread marked prints along the track 32 asshown in FIG. 1, for their immediate inspection.

Upon the return of the solenoid actuated flipper 34 to its originalposition, a reset signal L, depicted at FIG. 4L is applied to the resetinput terminal of the bistable flip-flop 112, which responds thereto andswitches the voltage level of the signal of FIG. 4] to ground potential.The AND gate 114 is rendered incapable of passing further detected printnumber signals to the reject sorter 116 unless a further reject marksignal is generated by the comparator 108.

When print number 1 of order number 2 advances past the cutter blade, afurther reject mark signal H is generated in response to reject mark 76.Since this is the only print of order number 2, the reject sorter 116 isactuated and the print advance is halted in response to the order sortsignal C.

Referring now to the remaining elements of FIG. 3, the cut print signalB is applied to the input terminals of 1-9 serial binary counter 118 and10, 20 serial binary counter 120 through decimal shift 122 that areshown in greater detail in the electrical circuit of FIG. 5. The circuitof FIG. 5 also includes the 1-9 binary count memory 124 and the 10, 20binary count memory 126 and elements of the shift circuit 104 and thereset/restart circuit of FIG. 3. The binary counters 118 and respond tothe serial generation of each pulse of the cut print signal B to countin binary form the total number of cuts prints in each customers order.Upon the generation of the shift signal E, the print count is shiftedinto the count memories 124 and 126. The binary print count is decodedby the first binary to decimal decoder 128 and applied to the 20 stageprint counter and display 130 which illuminates the price on the displaypanel 46. Shortly thereafter, the reset/restart signal F is applied inparallel to the reset input terminals of each serial binary counter toreturn the count to zero. The count stored in memories 124 and 126remains until the next shift signal E.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown in detail, the print cutterclock signal circuit of the print cutter 88, the binary counters 118 and120, the binary memories 124 and 126, the decimal shift circuit 122, theshift circuit 104 and the reset/restart circuit 105. The print cutterclock signal circuit of print cutter 88 produces the cut print signal Bwhen the normally-closed contacts 130 are opened by the energization ofthe cutter solenoid 132 and the transistor 134 is thereby renderedconductive. When transistor 134 turns on, the voltage source +V isremoved from the input terminal of the single shot multivibrator 136which responds thereto to generate the uniform pulses of the cut printsignal B.

The cut print signal B is applied to the trigger T input of the bistableflip-flop 138-1 of the binary counter 118 and to the first inputterminal of the AND gate 140 of the decimal shift circuit 122. Thebinary counter 118 includes the flip-flops 138-1, 138-2 138-4 and 138-8that each have a Q and 6 output terminal and a trigger terminal T, thatis connected to the Q terminal of the preceding flip-flop. A resetconductor 141 is connected in parallel to the Preclear, P, terminal ofeach flip-flop. The Set, S, and Clear, C, input terminals may beconnected together and are not employed in the operation of the counter.

Initially the flip-flops of the counter 118 have a Low or output voltagelevel at terminal Q and a High or 1 output voltage level at terminal Gthat is established by depressing momentary contact Start button 142 ofreset/restart circuit 105 which causes single shot 144 to generate areset/restart signal F that is passed by OR gate 146 to the resetconductor 141. Thereafter, as the pulses of the cut print signal B aregenerated, the flip-flops of the counter 118 produce a binary count attheir respective Q and 6 terminals in the manner shown in the truthTable I set forth below:

It will be noted that the flip-flops are connected to toggle on thenegative going transitions of each pulse of the cut print signal B.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the Q output terminals of flip-flops 138-1 and138-8 are connected to the second and third input terminals of the ANDgate 140. Upon the achievement of a count of 9 in the counter, these Qterminals are High as shown in Table I. Thereafter, the tenth pulse ofthe cut print signal B is applied to the flipflop 138-1 and to the firstinput terminal of the AND gate 140 which passes the tenth pulse to theinput terminal of single shot 148. Single shot 148 generates an outputpulse which is applied to one input terminal of OR gate 146 and to thetrigger, T, of the flip-flop 150-10 of the binary counter 120. Thenegative going transition of the output pulse of the single shot 148applied through OR gate 146 resets the flip-flops 13-8-1, 138-2, 138-4and 138-8 to 0 and toggles the flip-flop 150-10. Therefore, the binarycount of counter 118 is reduced to zero, and the Q terminal of flip-flop150-10 switches to High.

The flip-flop 150-10 thus stores the tenth count of the cut print signalB. The eleventh through nineteenth counts are achieved on the flip-flopsof binary counters 118 and 120 in accordance with the following truthTable II:

TABLE 11 Q Q Q Q Q Q Q. Q Q Q Q 0 1 o 1 0 1 o 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 o 1 o 1 o 11 o o 1 o 1 1 0 0 1 o 1 1 o o 1 1 o 1 o o 1 o 1 1 o o 1 14 0 1 0 1 1 o o1 1 o o 1 15 1 0 o 1 1 0 0 1 1 o o 1 o 1 1 o 1 o o 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 oo 1 1 o o 1 0 1 o 1 o 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 o 1 o 1 1 o 1 o 0 1 o 1 o 1 o 10 1 o 1 1 0 After the achievement of the count of 19, and at thetwentieth pulse of cut print signal B, AND gate 140 is again energizedto produce a reset/restart signal F that resets the count of binarycounter 118 to zero. Simultaneously, the twentieth count togglesflip-flops -10 and 150-20 to provide the count of 20.

The binary counter flip-flops 150-10 and 150-20 are also reset byapplication of a negative going transition of a reset/restart signalapplied by conductor 152 to their respective Preclear, P, inputterminals. Such a reset/restart signal is generated by the single shot144 in the manner described hereinbeforeand passed by OR gate 154 to theconductor 152.

A further reset/restart signal is generated by the reset/ restartcircuit 105 upon the removal of the stack 41 of negative filmstrips andis applied to further input terminals of OR gates 146 and 154 andthereafter to the P input terminals of each flip-flop.

Before the binary counters 118 and 120 are reset by the removal of thestack 41 of negative filmstrips, it is ncessary to shift the count tothe binary count memories 124 and 126 in order that the price display130 may be activated. The binary count memories 124 and 126 includememory flip-flops 156-1, 156-2, 156-4 and 156-8, and memory flip-flops158-10 and 158-20, respectively. Each memory flip-flop is connected byits S and C input terminals to the Q and 6 output terminals of thecorresponding counter flip-flop. The trigger T inputs of each memoryflip-flop are connected in parallel to a shift conductor 160. The memoryflip-flops switch to the High or Low state presented to their to their Sand C input terminals upon a negative going transition of the shiftsignal E applied to their T input terminals. Thus the count of thecounter flip-flops is transferred into the memory flipfiops only uponthe occurrence of a shift signal E, andthe memorized count is retaineduntil the next occurrence of a shift signal E.

The shift signal E is generated by the single shot 162 of the shiftcircuit 104 in response to the closure of a switch 164. Switch 164 ismechanically closed upon the removal of the stack 41 of negativefilmstrips from the negative filmstrip cutter stacker 14.

The delay between the shift signal E and the reset/ restart signal F isachieved by the single shot 166, the inverter 168 and the AND gate 170.The single shot 166 responds to the negative going transition ofthe'shift signal E to generate a positive pulse that is applied to oneinput terminal of AND gate 170. Simultaneously, the inverter 168responds to the negative going transition at it input terminal toproduce a positive output signal that is applied to the other inputsignal of AND gate 170. Thus AND gate 170 passes the reset/restartsignal F generated by single shot 166 through the OR gates 146 and 154and to the P input terminals of the counter flip-flops. The inverter 168and AND gate 170 insure that the shift signal E and the rest/restartsignal F do not overlap. Thus the count of the counter flip-fiops istransferred to the memory flip-flops before the count is reset. Also,the count is reset before the next cut print signal B is generated bysingle shot 136.

Referring back to FIG. 2, it will be noted that the last print of acustomer order is cut at the time the first print number of the nextorder is detected by the first photosensitive device 58. When the printcutter and sorter 12 is restarted by the rest/restart 105 of FIG. 3, thecount of the binary counters 118 and 120 is reset to zero. Thereafter,the second print number of the next customer order is detected by thefirst photosensitive device 58, and the print detector 86 generates thefirst pulse of the cut print signal B that is applied to the inputterminal of the binary counter 118. Simultaneously, as'

explained hereinbefore, the first print of the next customer order iscut. Thus the binary counters 118 and 120 count the actual number ofprints that are cut in each customers order.

Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 5, the terminals Q and Q of the memoryflip-flops are connected to the input terminals of the first binary todecimal decoder 128 which may consist of a conventional electricalmatrix that responds to the binary count input signals to provide adecimal count output signal of from 1-20 at twenty output terminals. Thedecimal count output signal is applied to twenty lamp illuminatingcircuits arranged in a matrix array on the illuminable display panel 46.

Referring now to FIG. 7 there is shown in partial perspective and ingreater detail the price display unit 18 of FIG. 1 including theilluminable display panel 46 and the transparent price card 48. Theilluminable display panel 46 consists of a matrix of twenty lampslocated behind the light transmitting squares 172 numbered 1-20. Eachcorrespondingly numbered output terminal of binary to decimal decoder128 develops a decimal count signal, when energized, that is applied tothe respective lamp situated behind the light transmitting squares 124of the panel 46. Thus, when the binary count of the binary counters 118and 120 of FIG. is shifted into the count memories 124 and 126, thebinary count is decoded to a decimal count ranging from 1 through thetotal number of prints in each customer order, and the correspondinglynumbered light transmitting square 172 of the display panel 46 isilluminated.

The transparent price card 48 may consist of plastic sheet material alsohaving twenty squares 174 to correspond in size and location to thetwenty light transmitting squares 172 of the display panel 46. Theprice, per counted print, may be permanently or semi-permanently printedupon the corresponding squares 174 of the price card 48.

The display panel 46 is mounted in the price display unit 18 at anangle, and a slot 176 is provided through the top surface 178 of thedisplay unit. The price card 48 is inserted through the slot 176 tooverlie the display panel 46. The printed price numbers on the squares174 of the price card 48 are opaque. After the print count developed bythe binary counters of FIG. 5 is shifted into the memory counters andthe decimal square 172 of the display panel 46 is illuminated, the pricedisplayed on the corresponding square 174 of the price card 48 isilluminated. The operator of the finishing operations Workcenter may,with a glance at the price display unit 18, instantly determine which ofthe price figures is illuminated and transcribe that price upon theprint package 52.

The price display card 48 illustrated in FIG. 7 displays a unit price of$0 .23 per print. Other display cards bearing other unit pricesapplicable to the different retailers serviced by the photofinisher maybe substituted for the illustrated price display card.

Returning again to FIG. 3 there is shown a reject print/ negativefilmstrip correlator and display that corresponds to the reject print/negative filmstrip correlator 16 and the numerical display 42 of FIG. 1.The correlator 180 responds to the reject print signal K of FIG. 4K andthe output signal developed by a second binary to digital decoder 121182 to correlate the marked print with the negative filmstripcontaining the corresponding negative.

The second binary to digital decoder 182 is connected, as shown in FIG.5, at its input terminals to the Q and 6 terminals of the binary counterflip-flops 138-1, 138-2, 138-4, 138-8, -10 and 150-20. Decoder 182 hastwenty output terminals and provides a decoded decimal count of the cutprint signal B as it is counted by the binary counters 118 and 120. Thetwenty output terminals of the decoder 182 are applied to the inputtenninals of the reject print/ negative filmstrip correlator and display180.

The reject print/negative filmstrip correlator and display is shown ingreater detail in FIG. 6. For the purpose of describing the preferredembodiment of the present invention, it has been assumed that thenegative filmstrips 41 each contain four negative frames. For thisreason the output terminals of the binary to digital decoder 182 havebeen connected to five groups of four input terminals numbered 1 to 4, 5to 8, 9 to 12, 13 to 16 and 17 to 20- of OR gates 184, 186, 188, and192, respectively. The output conductors of the OR gate 184, 186, 188,190 and 192 are respectively connected to one input terminal of ANDgates 194, 196, 198, 200 and 20 2. The second input terminal of the ANDgates 194, 196, 198, 200 and 202 are commonly connected to the outputterminal of the AND gate \114 of FIG. 3. In operation, the OR gate 184,for example, passes each one of the decimal count signals, 1 to 4developed by the binary to decimal decoder 182 as they are sequentiallydeveloped, as explained hereinbefore, as each print is cut. When thereject print signal K is developed, the AND gate to which the decimalcount signal of the shift register is simultaneously applied passes thereject print signal K to its output terminal. For example, in theinstance shown in FIG. 2, print 19 of order number 1 is about to be cut,and decimal count signal 19 is passed by OR gate 192 to the first inputterminal of AND gate 202. Simultaneously the reject print signal K isdeveloped, and AND gate 202 passes the reject print signal K to itsoutput terminal.

Connected to the output terminals of AND gates 194, 196, 198, 200 and202 are holding circuits 204, 206, 208, 210 and 212 for the illuminablelamps 2'14, 216, 218, 220 and 222, respectively, for the numericaldisplay 42. When an input signal is applied at the respective inputterminals of the driving circuits, the output terminal of the drivingcircuit is grounded to allow current to flow from the commonly connectedvoltage source +V through the associated display numeral and to groundpotential until the reset/restart signal F is applied to the resetterminal R of the voltage supply circuit.

Since each of the holding circuits are identical in design andoperation, only the holding circuit 204 will be described in detail. Theholding circuit 204 consists of a phototransistor 224 having its emitterconnected to ground potential and its collector connected through a lamp226 to the voltage source +V. The base electrode of the phototransistor224 is connected by diode 228, resistor 230 and resistor 232 to thevoltage source +V. The input terminal of the holding circuit 204 is thejunction of resistors 230 and 232 and is connected to the outputterminal of AND gate 194. Normally the output terminal of AND gate 194is at ground potential.

When the output conductor of AND gate 194 is at ground potential, thephototransistor 224 is rendered nonconductive and the lamp 226 is dark.However, when the AND gate 194 simultaneously receives a decimal countsignal from the binary to decimal decoder 182 and a reject print signalK, the reject print signal K, having a positive voltage, is passed tothe input terminal of the holding circuit 204 and, by resistor 230 anddiode 228 the base electrode of phototransistor 224 which is renderedconductive thereby. When phototransistor 224 is rendered conductive,lamp 226 is illuminated. Light from the lamp 226 strikes the baseelectrode region of the phototransistor 224 which responds thereto byremaining highly conductive after the input terminal of the holdingcircuit 204 is again grounded.

When phototransistor 224 conducts, its collector electrode is at groundpotential and the voltage dropacross the display lamp 214 causes thenumeral 1 of the display panel 42 to be illuminated. The numeral 1 whenilluminated indicates that a negative in the first filmstrip of thestack 41 requires reprinting. Similarly, the numerals 2, 3, 4, and 5 maybe illuminated to indicate the location of a negative in each respectivefilm strip that requires reprinting.

When the reset/restart signal F is developed by the reset/restart 105,it is applied to a relay coil 234 that opens normally-closed relaycontacts 234a. The reset/ restart signal F thus extinguishes the lamps226 and 214-222. With the lamp 226 extinguished and the input terminalat ground potential, the phototransistor 224 is rendered nonconductiveand the display lamp 214 is extinguished.

Thus apparatus has been shown for correlating marked prints with thenegative filmstrip containing the corresponding negative that must bereprinted to complete the customers order. The incorporation of thiscorrelat ing apparatus with the marked print sorter and the automaticprice display on a single console with a negative cutter and stackerprovides a highly efiicient finishing operations workcenter thatshortens the time and lessens the chance of error in packaging andpricing customer orders. Although specific circuits and apparatus havebeen described that will efficiently accomplish the functions of theparticular elements of the finishing operations workcenter, it will beapparent that many modifications may be made within the spirit of theinvention. For example, the location of the photosensitive devices thatsense the print sort mark, and the order sort marks and the reject markmay be changed with corresponding modifications made to the describedcircuits that respond to these photosensitive devices. Furthermore, itwill be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that theprint counter, the price display unit, and the marked print/negativefilmstrip correlator circuit may be modified to accommodate a greaternumber than 20 prints in any customer order. It will also be apparentthat the disclosed counters may take any form including that of adigital counter or shift register without binary to decimal conversion.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tothe preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be elfected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for counting and displaying the count number of prints in aprint order out from a roll of prints, wherein a predetermined print ofeach print order is designated by a first mark, said apparatuscomprising:

(a) print cutter means for severing prints from a roll of printsadvanced through the cutter;

(b) means responsive to the severance of each print for producing afirst signal;

(0) counter means for counting the first signals;

((1) means for detecting the first mark on the predetermined print ineach print order and for producing a second signal in response thereto;

(e) means responsive to the second signal and to the severance of thepredetermined print for halting the operation of said print cuttermeans;

(f) restart means for restarting the operation of said print cuttermeans; and

(g) means responsive to the operation of said restart means and to thecount number of the first signals in said counter means for numericallydisplaying the count number indicating the total number of prints cutfrom the print order.

2. Apparatus for counting and displaying the corresponding price to becharged for the total number of photographic prints in a print order cutfrom a roll of prints, wherein a predetermined print of each print orderis designated by an order sort mark, said apparatus comprising:

(a) print cutter means for severing prints from a roll of printsadvanced through the cutter;

(b) means responsive to the severance of each print for producing afirst signal;

(c) counter means for counting the first signals;

(d) means for detecting the order sort mark of the predetermined printin each print order and for producing a second signal in responsethereto;

(e) means responsive to the severance of the predetermined print and tothe second signal for halting the operation of said print cutter means;

(1) restart means for restarting the operation of said print cuttermeans;

(g) storage means responsive to the operation of said restart means andto the counter means for storing the total number of first signalscounted by said counter means; and

(h) price display means responsive to the storage of the total number offirst signals for displaying the counted number of cut prints in theprint order and a corresponding price to be charged for the prints.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said price display means displaysthe counted number and corresponding price to be charged for the printsfor the period of time between each operation of the restart means.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said counter means further comprisesmeans responsive to the operation of said restart means and said storagemeans for resetting the count of the counter means to zero after saidstorage means has stored the count.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said price display means furthercomprises:

(a) a display panel divided into a predetermined plurality of areas,each area having numerals indicative of a count and a correspondingpricethereon;

(b) lamp illuminating means located with respect to each panel forilluminating that panel in response to the corresponding stored printnumber; and

(0) means responsive to said storage means for providing a third signalrepresentative of the stored count and for directing the third signal tothe lamp illuminating means corresponding to the stored count in orderto illuminate the respective numerals indicative of the count and thecorresponding price to be charged for the prints.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,052,409 9/1962 Williams 235-92R2,999,520 9/ 1961 Lowman 235-92 PD 2,705,907 4/1955 Caps et al 355-28 X450,615 4/ 1891 Delany 235-92 EA 1,341,251 5/1920 Arnold.

1,843,789 2/ 1932 Smith.

2,480,504 8/1949 Ott 177-327 3,187,321 6/ 1965 Kameny.

3,644,718 2/ 1972 Osborne et al 235--92 DN MAYNARD R. WILBUR, PrimaryExaminer J. M. THESZ, Assistant Examiner U.S. C1. X.R.

235-92 BA, 92 R; 355-28, 29, 13

